Colorado Rapids acquire Marc Burch from Seattle in Re-Entry Process

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Thursday, December 12, 2013) – The Colorado Rapids acquired defender Marc Burch on Thursday in Stage 1 of the 2013 MLS Re-Entry Process, adding the eight-year MLS veteran to the team’s roster. Burch, 29, comes to Colorado after two seasons with Seattle Sounders FC, and having played 152 regular season matches in his MLS career.

INTERVIEW: Marc Burch speaks to Richard Fleming

Burch was selected by Colorado with the 11th overall selection in Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Process, which means that the Rapids will pick up his contract option for the 2014 season. No Rapids players were selected in Stage 1 of the draft, and Stage 2 (when teams may negotiate new contacts with selected players) will take place next Wednesday.

“Marc is a versatile and talented left-sided player with a lot of MLS experience,” said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. “He will give us added competition in the back line, and we’re happy to welcome him to our squad.”

Originally selected in the second round (24th overall) of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft by the LA Galaxy out of the national champion University of Maryland, Burch played three games with LA before a midseason trade to the Columbus Crew. He moved to D.C. United to start the 2007 season where he played for five seasons before joining Seattle in the Re-Entry Process ahead of the 2012 season, when he appeared in a career high 29 games (19 starts). Primarily a left back who can also play center back or left midfield, Burch has three goals and 17 assists in his 152 regular season games (113 starts).

The Rapids will begin the 2014 season on March 9 at San Jose, with the first match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park against the Portland Timbers on March 22.